All rights reserved. Based on the focussed case study literature review we conducted, we now focus on discussing four of the above-mentioned major nature-based solutions, which are relevant to the Uzbek part of the Aral Sea region. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3642, Kumar N, Khamzina A, Knfel P, Lamers JP, Tischbein B (2021) Afforestation of degraded croplands as a watersaving option in irrigated region of the aral sea basin. A water ecosystem with high niche diversity and warm water temperatures will likely have a high biodiversity. However, the long-term impact of drainage water, most importantly its quality, on the biodiversity of wetlands does not seem to have been thoroughly examined to tell whether the approach can be justified. To complement the systematic review, a non-systematic review was conducted into widely adopted NbS definitions and criteria for the selected ecosystem types. As per the table ecosystem, X has the highest diversity. 4. Water (Switzerland), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13101433, Kumar P, Debele SE, Sahani J, Rawat N, Marti-Cardona B, Alfieri SM, Zieher T (2021) Nature-based solutions efficiency evaluation against natural hazards: Modelling methods, advantages and limitations. Which ecosystem has the highest biodiversity? Qi L, Yao Y, English DE, Ma R, Luft J, Hu C (2021) Remote sensing of brine shrimp cysts in salt lakes. https://aral.uz/en/creation-of-small-local-water-bodies-in-the-delta-of-amudarya/, Agol D, Reid H, Crick F, Wendo, H (2021) Ecosystem-based adaptation in Lake Victoria Basin; synergies and trade-offs. The term nature-based solutions is relatively new, hence more evidence-based documentation of success stories around the world is needed to validate both cost-efficiency and long-term applicability of these practices, especially in those regions with newly formed ecosystems like the Aralkum. They also provide food, shade, construction material, medicines, andfiberfor clothing and paper. Int J Appl Earth Observ Geoinform 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2021.102635, Zhang L, Sun P, Huettmann F, Liu S (2022) Where should China practice forestry in a warming world? https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2020.09.en, IUCN (2020) IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions: a user-friendly framework for the verification, design and scaling up of NbS: first edition. The potential for rangelands to provide a basis for NbSgiven that they are one of the major potential carbon sinks in dryland areas such as the Aral Sea basinrequires detailed further research. 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Scientists have discovered manychemicals in rainforest plants that are now used in helpfuldrugs. Nonetheless, wetlands in the Aral Sea basin serve as an important habitat both for inland waterbirds and for the migratory species in Central Asia (Kasprzykowski, Goawski, Mitrus, & Staski, 2014). A final set of 106 papers were retained and read in their entirety. All these have led to increased levels of soil and water salinity, as well as to the reduction of the water table of desert pastures in the Aral Sea basin (Toderich, et al., 2013b). Sustain Dev Goals. Discover Life in America: All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Database. It can be studied on many levels. Sustainability and cost-effectiveness of wetlands restoration in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Check all that apply. Nat Clim Change 7:417422. US Forest Service: Ecoregions of the United States. Ecosystems with a lot of biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than those with fewer species. Today species are going extinct at an accelerated and dangerous rate because of non-natural environmental changes caused by human activities. Afforestation of irrigated cropland in combination with agroforestry in the Aral Sea basin is recommended by a number of authors (Djalilov, Khamzina, Hornidge, & Lamers, 2016), (Dubovyk, Menz, & Khamzina, 2016), (Khamzina, Lamers, Worbes, Botman, & Vlek, 2006), (Kumar, Khamzina, Knfel, Lamers, & Tischbein, 2021) as a means to reduce soil salinity on degraded agricultural lands, which could be another solution to reduce salinity and improve soil quality of abandoned croplands. An additional, specific focus of this review is to gather evidence for the feasibility of implementation of NbS and their potential in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, which is an exemplary dryland ecosystem. The government of Uzbekistan has officially stated that it will now be impossible to restore the Aral Sea to its former (pre-1960) state, and has instead committed to mitigate the consequences of this ecological disaster on human wellbeing, environment and the local economy. (2022) https://lex.uz/docs/5892355, Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment of South Ustyurt National Park (in Uzbek language). The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. The Biden administration has set a goal to conserve and restore 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Using a microscope, we would be able to see hundreds or even thousands of different bacteria that inhabit the pond water. So, its critical for officials to know where imperiled species exist. California committed to 30x30 even before the federal government did. Although all of these insects have a similar structure and may be genetic cousins, the beautiful variety of colors, shapes, camouflage, and sizes showcase the level of diversity possible even within a closely-related group of species. The government of Uzbekistan has been issuing quotas for artemia harvesting in the Aral Sea (Marden, et al., 2012), but in 2022 the quota was substantially reduced, likely because the artemia populations are also decreasing (Anonymous, 2022). Southern Appalachia is a hotspot for species at risk of vanishing. Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States. This is only a small portion of the total number of species on Earth. Some scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.04.014, Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Additional measures for the creation of forests in the regions and of the green cover in the Aral Sea region. FAO Forestry Paper No. The only species that currently survives in what is known as the southern Aral Sea in Uzbekistan is brine shrimp (Artemia). Conserv Biol 33:812820. Hence option B is correct. It provides us with an array of foods and materials, and it contributes to the economy. Sci Total Environ 709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136060, Lioubimtseva E, Henebry GM (2009) Climate and environmental change in arid Central Asia: Impacts, vulnerability, and adaptations. Interface Focus 10. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2019.0129, Tanneberger F, Appulo L, Ewert S, Lakner S, Brolchin N, Peters J, Wichtmann W (2021) The Power of Nature-Based Solutions: How Peatlands Can Help Us to Achieve Key EU Sustainability Objectives. Biodiversity is also an important part of ecological services that make life livable on Earth. The white ferula mushroom, adelicacythat only grows on the Italian island of Sicily, helps decompose organic compounds such as plants. Dryland areas have largely expanded in Asia since mid-twentieth century stretching towards north latitudes, triggering water stress and limiting ecosystem services (Prvlie, 2016), (Yao, Fu, Liu, Wang, & Song, 2021). Alikhanova, S., Bull, J.W. Genetic diversity also allows species to betteradaptto a changing environment.Importance of BiodiversityAll species are interconnected. Wetland restoration is a promising tool in many areas that could potentially compete with afforestation/reforestation in terms of carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation potential (Taillardat, Thompson, Garneau, Trottier, & Friess, 2020), (Seddon, et al., 2020), (Tanneberger, et al., 2021). We highlight which NbS show the most promise in the Aral Sea region and conclude with a discussion of existing gaps in the literature on NbS in drylands, and opportunities for further research. Current research is funded by Darwin Initiatives Resurrection Island: enterprise, conservation and development around the Aral Sea project (project number 28-003). Local, national, andinternational organizations are cooperating to preserve the biodiversity of regions threatened by development or natural disasters.UNESCOsWorld Heritage Siteprogram recognizes areas of global importance, such as the enormous wetland region of thePantanalin South America. Savvy crows thrive among us, despite us and because of us. CAS 2. The application of nature-based solutions, such as the large-scale afforestation of the Aral Seabed, potentially creates alternative income sources for the local population. Available at: https://www.protectedplanet.net/555703562, UNEP-WCMC (2023) Protected Area Profile for Sudochye-Akpetki State Wildlife Sanctuary from the World Database on Protected Areas. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10081-2013, Fernandes JP, Guiomar N (2018) Nature-based solutions: The need to increase the knowledge on their potentialities and limits. Moreover, literature review explicitly revealed that wetland restoration in the Aral Sea basin has never been documented as a nature-based solution, nor has rangeland restoration been. Where Is The World's Greatest Biodiversity? Smithsonian Scientists Find We conducted a systematic review on the topic of nature-based solutions in terrestrial dryland ecosystems around the world, with a specific focus on the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan.